Apparatus for compacting folded goods



Feb. 3, 1942.

H. c. KELLER ETAL APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING FOLDED'GOODS Filed Jan. 19, 1939 Sheets-Sheet 1 SHAW/"$0715,

' 3 Sheet-Sheet 2 H. c; KELLER ETAL Filed Jan. 19, 19391 APPARATUS FOR coMPAcTINe FOLDED'GOODS 4 Feb. 3,1942;

Feb. 3, 1942. H. c. KELLER ETAL 7 APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING FOLDEDGOODS Filed Jan. 19, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ILECTR/c comma PANEL Box WIRING DIAGRAM H C. Keller- G. hpox. 4

Patented Feb. 3, 1942 v Henry C. Keller, Syracuse, "NIL, and. Samuel Lippincott Griswold Knox, Englewood, N. .L, assignors, by mesne assignments, to Lamson Corporation, De Witt, N. ;Y., a corporation of New York Application January 1 9, 19 39, Serial-N0. 251,864

' 9 Claims (01. 38-10) This invention relates to apparatus for compacting folded goods, such as lace curtains, sheets, pillow,-cases,ytowels, and like articles.

, Heretofore it has been customary'practice, in

, preparing. such articles for shipment, to com-' pact the articles following the operation by which they are folded, for the purpose of reducing their bulk and to improve their sales appearance. In the case of, lace curtains, referred to byway of example, the curtains were first folded bya hand,

operation and thereafter a vertical stackof about twelve or fifteen curtains was placed in a pallettype press having heating elements top and bottom. The press was then closed for several seconds and thereafter opened and the stack of-curtains removed. Thereupon the stack was broken 1 down into three or four plies and the piles shuflled so that the curtains which were in the middle of the first-formed stack thereupon assumed, a placement at the top or bottom of the secondformed stack which was thereupon placed in the press and subjected to a second compactingoperation. These operations of rearranging and restacking the folded'articles of the stack following a partial compacting operation were repeated as manytimes as necessary to give each,

folded curtain a fairly even compacting action, with the result that the bulk or thickness of a folded curtain was reduced about one-half, and the appearance thereof from the sales standpoint was improved. I

The present invention contemplates novel ap- I paratus for compacting goods which are sold in folded form, such as textile goods generally, by which substantial saving in time and effort is effected and by which the compacting operation can be more expeditiously carried on than heretofore.

In its more specific aspects, the present invention provides noveland highly efficient apparatus which operates automatically and in predetermined-cyclical manner to effect in a single operation the simultaneous compacting of a plurality of folded articles arranged in edge to edge relation on an intermittently moving horizontal supporting surface, thus to speed up production and alsoto eliminate the manual manipulation and excessive handling of the articles which characterized, prior practice. In such apparatus a novel control system is employedby which proper cyclical operation of the apparatus, as well as its continuous I operation throughout successive cycles, is assured, and which at the same time satisfies safety requirements. I

l Qther-objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter' pointed out inconnection with j the following analysis of this invention wherein ;is 'illustrated an'embodiment of the invention in detail:

Inthe drawings- Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of compacting apparatus in accordance with the present inven- Fig. 2 is a detail of the belt drive mechanism; Fig.3 is a diagram of the hydraulic piping sys- Fig. 41s a diagram of-an 8-second cycle, of operation of the apparatus of thepresent invention; and

Fig. is a diagram of the electrical control system.[ a

Referring to the drawings wherein like ref.-

erence characters indicate like parts throughout the several views, reference character 10 indicates an elongated'bed frame which may be constitutedby two longitudinalchannels secured inv spaced relation by transverse beams H. Prefer ably thebed frame is insulated from the floor or support on which it is laid byfrubbercushions 12.

At each end of the bed frame'are provided end frames generally indicated at I3, 14, which provide' amounting for carrier drums I5, 16 over whichjex'tends a carrier I! which preferably takes the formof a stainless steel belt :of end less construction. The end frames I3, H are each preferably constituted by uprights 20, 20a, respectively, which aresecured as by welding-or riveting to the bed frame, the uprights of each side frame being connected at their. upper ends by horizontal sills or-rails 2|, 2M. To the-rails are'secured'journalboxes 22, 22a for bearings in which drum shafts 23,25, respectively, are-adapted to rotate about horizontal axes. which extend transversely of the bed frame and adjacent the endsthereof. As will be described hereinafter,

the drum I5 constitutes the driving drum for the belt ll, tension of which may be adjusted by the take-up mechanism 22?) of known construction, which permits limited shifting of the axis about which shaft 25 rotates.- 1

- Intermediate the ends of the bed frame is arranged a platensupporting frame formed as by upright channels '21, 28 which extend upwardly at each side of the bed frame and have their lower ends secured thereto. The upper ends of the channels 21, 28 are connected by transverse beams 30, 3I- which extend from side frame -to "'sideframe and 'whichin turn support'the longitudinally arranged intermediate beam 32.

Secured; between the side frames as described ing arm 6! about-a transverse'axis 62.

is a bottom platen 34, such being supported on transverse beams 35 extending between the side frames. The lower platen 34 is stationary and is so positioned vertically that the upper flight or run of the carrier belt I! is supported thereon as the belt is advanced during its travel. At the ends of the platen are provided supporting rolls 36 on which the belt bears as it moves over platen 34.

Also arranged between the side frames is a top platen 38 which is pivoted as at 39 to a head 40 secured to a piston (shown in dotted lines, Fig.

3) operating in a hydraulic cylinder Cl carried by the intermediate beam 32.

The top platen 38 is movable and is adapted to be operated by pressure fluid supplied to cylinder C! by a hydraulic pump unit, generally designated PU, which includes a hydraulic pump of conventional construction powered by an electric motor PM, the unit being supported on spaced beams 50 which extend transversely of the lon- "supporting member 52 secured at one end to an upright 53 extending from the bed frame and at its other end to the upright 29 f the adjacent drum supporting end-frame. Arranged in the cylinder is a piston (as shown in dotted lines, Fig.3) to the operating rod of which is connected a rack 55 which extends towards the supply end of the apparatus. As will be seen from Fig. 2, such being a partial elevation of the supply end of the apparatus from the rear thereof, the rack has its toothed under-surface engaging with a gear 56 arranged on the shaft- 23 of drum l5. The upper face of the rack engages against guide rollers 51 carried by a guide block 58 depending from an'auxiliary framework associated with the rear end frame 2c (Fig. 1). Gear56 is related to the shaft 23 by a free-wheeling clutch mechanism 59 of known construction arranged to be disengaged as gear 56 rotates in anti-clockwise direction (Fig. 2) but which automatically en- "gages to couple the gear 56 and shaft 23 whereby to drive the latter and hence drum as the gear is rotated in clockwise direction by movement of the rack to the right (or to the left in 'Fig. 1).

As will be described, the pump unit PU is adapted to supply pressure fluid to the left end of cylinder C2 (Fig. 1), thus to actuate rack 55 to the right, during which movement drum [5 idles and the belt I7 is stationary; and to the right end of cylinder C2 thereby to effect movement of rack 55 to the left, during which movement the clutch 59 engages to complete the driving connection between the rack and the shaft-2'3 of the belt drum l5, thereby to advance the upper flight of the belt H to the left.

Arranged between the platen frame and the driven belt drum [6 is a timin unit of standard construction, generally designated TU, the unit including a motor TM for driving a rotating tim- During rotation of the timing arm '6: it engages timing -switches "TS-4 and T3 2, respectively, "said switches being arranged in electric circuits to be described which control actuation of a valve assembly in the fluid line between the pump unit PU and the cylinder C--l.

Referring to Fig. 3, the valve assembly under the control of the timing switches is designated Vl, being positioned preferably above the upper platen 38 and carried by the intermediate beam 32 of the platen frame. This valve assembly is of known construction, being of the solenoid-actuated, four-way type providing a valve casing in which the valve element operates, and end casings thereon, of which the left-end casing encloses a solenoid coil SA and the rightend casing encloses a solenoid coil SB. A fluid line 66, 66a extends from the pump unit PU to the valve casing 65, and from the valve casing there extends a fluid line 61 to the upper end of cylinder Cl and a second fluid line 68 to the lower end of cylinder C-!. A return line 69 from the valve casing extends back'to the pump unitPU whereby either end-of the cylinder -Cl may exhaust to the pump unit.

Arranged in the line 61 is a pressure switch P S-3 connected in a control circuit'to be described, the setting of which is such that the switch incorporated therein is open upon the occurrence of normal or sub-normal pressures in line 61 (but closes in response to an increase of pressure in the line, such as would result upon the piston of cylinder 0-! arrivin at the lower end of its stroke, with consequent building up of pressure in the upper end of thecylinder and in 'line 61.

Also carried by the platen framework is a limit switch LES-'4 connected in acontrol circuit to be described, theswitchhaving an arm 1-0 which is engaged by the top platen head 4'0 when the top platen is in raised position. Switch LS4 is normally open, but is closed upon platen head 40 engaging the arm 10. I

The pressure switch P-S-3 and the limit switch LS'4 are arranged in electricalcircuitsadapted to control actuation of a valve assembly V2 connected in a pressure fluid circuit between the pump unit PU and the cylinder C2. This 'valve' assembly V--2, like the valve assembly VI, is'of the solenoid-actuated, four-wa type, and includes a valve casing 12 carryin at :its ends casings adapted to enclose solenoids -SA-l and SBI, respectively. Pressure fluid from the pumpunit is supplied to the valve assembly V2 through line 63b, fluid line 13 connecting the valve and the left end cfcylinder C.2, and fluid line :14 connecting the valv and the right end of cylinder C-2. The exhaust .from the cylinder is returned to the pump unit through the return line 15. Arranged in line 14 is va flowcontrol unit 16 oil-conventionalconstruction designed to control the rate of suppl of fluid to the right end of cylinder C-J2 whereby the rate 'of'movementof rack 55 to the left may be controlled as desired.

Drain lines 1-! and 18 extend, respectively,

from the pressure switch PS-i3 .and the flow control unit 16 back to the'pump unit :PU.

With the above general description in ,mind,

the'contemplated arrangement is such that closing'of the timer-actuated switch TS-l is adapted "to energize solenoid SB which in turnactuates the valve of the assembly Vl in proper direction to supplypressurefluid from-line 86 to the line 61 and hence to :the upper end of'cylinder Cl. Closin Jo'f timer-actuated switch I'S-2 resultsiin .energizationoftsolenoid .SA and 2,272,ooe g s 2' completed prior to closing of switch s 2 pressure'fluid is supplied to theleft end of cyl inderC-Z at a rate such that full'imovemerlt of actuation of the valve of the valvefassembly V--I in proper direction as to'supply pressure fluid from line 66 through line 68 to the lower end of cylinder C2, the upper end exhausting through valve .V-l back to the pump unit.

Closing of pressure through lines 6'! and 69. switch PS-3 results in energization of solenoid SBI which actuates the valve" of the valve as sembly -V-'2 in proper directionito admit' pres sure fluid from lineBB, 6619 through the valve and line I3 to the left end of cylinder C2 to actuate rack 55 on its idling stroke. Closing of switch LS--4 results in energization ofsolenoid SA-I to actuate the valve of the assembly V-.--2 in proper direction as to admit pressure fluid from the line 66, 661) through the valve and line "I4 to the right end of cylinder C-2, thereby to actuate rack 55 to the left on driving stroke.

It will be here noted that each of the valve eleits. working or belt e the rack to the right is effected in'oneanduone- 2 second for its completion.

half seconds s that the rack'may idle 'for 'the last half-second of the'compacting period.

Upon completion ofthe two and on hali second interval aforesaid timer arm (it-strikes switch TS-2, resulting in energization of sole noid SA and admission of p'ressi-irefiuid to the lower end of cylinder C-l the topplaten then moving on itsup stroke, which requires a half- As pressure is released'in the upper'portion of cylinder 0- I, switch PS'3' is opened and, as the platen reaches its raised position, switch- LS'4 closes. During the last-half-second of the compacting period and the half-second'required for ments incorporated in the assemblies VI .and

V--2 maintains the position to which it has been actuated until positively actuated out of that the up stroke of the platen, cylinder C-f-Z" is inactive as solenoid SA-I is deenergized but upon the upper platen closing switch -;LS''4' thesolenoid SA I is] energized and pressure 'fi'uid sup-I plied to the righthand end of cylinder C-Z, cause position by the opposing solenoid. Thus,:if solenoid SA has moved the valve of the assembly V-I to a required position, the valve remains in that position until the opposing solenoid SE is energized, even though'deenergization of solenoid SA occurs prior to the'energization 0f solenoid SB.

The cycle of operation of the apparatus as described as well as its timing sequence will be seen from an analysis of Fig 4, such constituting a ing movement of the rack' to the left and rotation of the drum I 5whereby to advance the belt'.

The arrangement is such thatthe belt movesfor Ward approximately six feet upon every driving stroke of rack 55. While the timing is such that the platen 38 is maintained in its raised posi tion for the following five seconds, the termination of which constitutes the end of the particuf i lar B-second cycle, proper setting of the flow diagram of S-second cycle of operation. In this a diagram the upper half represents the sequence of operation and the timing between operations of the-top platen as determined by pressure conin its relatively advanced position."

ditions in cylinder CI, the lower half of the pressure conditions i cycle commenceswith the 38, this lowering movement, in the cycle under description, being completed ina half second interval. At the start of the cycle, piston of cylinder C2 is in its lefthand position, following energization of solenoid SA-I in the previous cycle. During the half-second required'for the lowering movement of platen 38, the drive gear is idle and the belt is stationary. However, as platen 38 reaches its lowermost position, pressure builds .up

in cylinder CI and closes pressure switch-'PS-3.

Solenoid SBI, is thereupon energized and pressure fluid is admitted tothe left end of cylinder C- 2, whereupon rack moves to the right on its idling stroke, the belt remaining stationary.

The rate of movement of the timing arm 6| for the cycle under description is such that an interval of two and one-half seconds transpires between successive engagements with switches TS-I and TS-2. This interval represents the half-second period required for lowering the platen 38 and a two-second compacting period during which the platen remains in its lowermost position to effect the compacting, operation. In order that movement of the rack 55 to the. right control unit 15 permits completion of the working stroke of rack 55 in four and a half seconds,

and during the final half-secondof the cycle the rack idles, with the belt maintained stationary Inaddition to the electric control as aboveide scribed, a manual control is provided by push'bu't';

ton switches PB-I and PB.2, these switches being positioned adjacent the article supply end of the belt and atthe removal end thereof. 'Ihe control arrangement to be described is such, that both switches PB-I and PB 2 must be closed by the operators before the apparatus can function, and the addition of this type of control further provides readily accessible means at the command of either operator to stop the operation of the apparatus upon the occurrence of trouble, or danger to the operator.

Considering now the wiring diagramof Fig.5 which illustrates the various control circuits referred to in the foregoing description, a main switch MS introduces the three-phase 60-cycle 440 volt line to theterminal block.'I B,-.which is mounted in an electric control panel box, through the intermediary of fuses in well knownmanner. The three-phase mains L--I, L2 and L'3 are carried through the terminal block TB by way of jumpers to corresponding contacts both of a switching mechanism ST for operating. the timer motor TM and of a switching mechanismSPfor operating the motor PM of the pump unit.

With the switches PB 3' through-PB- -B -inclusive to be referred to hereinafter) set for automatic operation, a control circuit for energiz ing the actuating coil I05 of switch SP, and hence th actuating coil I25 of switch ST, is completed,

upon the closing of both operator-controlled switches PB-I and PB- -2.

This. circuit may be traced" from terminal 'IB-I, conductor I06, jumper J'-I,-Qconductor m1. sWitchPB-Z, conductors I08,- I09; jumpers J2,'J-3, conductor III], switch PB'I', conductor III, jumper J4, conductor II2, switch PB4, conductor II3, operating coil I05, and to the line side contact L--I of the switch SP. The energization of coil I effects the closing of the multiple contacts of the switch SP by actuating a contactor which bridges the three line and motor contacts of switch SP.

Actuation of the contactor as aforesaid also bridges an additional set of contacts I20a, I20b, which completes a circuit through line side contact L3 of switch SP, conductor I2I, switch PB3, conductor I22, operating coil I25 of the switch ST, conductor I26, to the line-side contact LI of the switch ST. The energization of the coil I25 operates the contactor of switch ST to complete the circuit to the timer motor TM.

The operation of the pump motor develops the necessary fluid pressure for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinders C-I, C-2 as required according to the cycle of operations as above described, upon proper manipulation cf the valves of the assemblies V--I, V2 by the switches TSI ,-TS2, PS--3, LS4.

Again assuming the cycle to be initiated when the top platen 38 is at its upper limit of movement, at which time switch LS-4 is closed following completion of the last preceding cycle, the timer arm engages switch TSI to complete the following circuit: Line side contact L3 of the switch ST, additional set of contacts I30a, I302) thereof, conductor I3l, switch TS--I, conductor I32, switch PBB, operating coil I33 of relay RB, conductor I34, and conductor 2M connected to line LI through jumper J5 and conductor 262. The operating coil I33 when energized as above actuates a contactor which bridges the contacts of the switch mechanism SwB, and completes the circuit for the solenoid SB as follows: Main LI, conductor 202, jumper J-5, conductor 20I, switch S-wB, conductor 203, solenoid SB, conductor 204, the switch SwB, conductor 205, jumper J5, and conductor 206 back to main L3. Energizing of solenoid SB actuates the valve of assembly VI to supply pressure fluid to the upper end of cylinder C--I, thereby to lower the top platen 38. As the platen commences its lowering movement, it moves away from switch LS4 causing it to open.

Upon the platen reaching its down position, switch PS--3 closes and energizes solenoid SBI, to cause pressure fluid to be supplied to the left end of cylinder CZ, through the following circuit: Main L3, conductor 206, jumper J6, terminal TB--2 of the terminal block, jumper J--I, conductor I35, switch PS--3, conductor I36, jumper J--8, conductor I31, switch PBI, coil I38 of relay RBI, and conductor 20I back to main LI through jumper J5 and conductor 202. The energization of coil I38 of relay RBI actuates a contactor which bridges the contacts of switch SwBI, thus to connect the coil SBI across the supply conductors 2'0I, 205, through conductors 201, 208. The energization of the solenoid SBI so actuates the valve assembly V2 for cylinder C-2 that pressure fluid is admitted to the left end of the cylinder to actuate rack 55 to the right on its idling stroke in preparation for its driving stroke.

Following the completion of the movement of rack 55 to the right, timer arm GI engages switch TS 2 to close the same and to complete a circuit through solenoid SA, thereby to effect raising of the platen 38. This circuit may be traced as follows: Main L-'-I, conductors 202, 20!, operating coil I40 of relay RA, switch PBB, conductor MI, switch TS--2, and conductor I3I connected to main L3 as aforesaid. Relay coil I40 when energized causes actuation of contactor of the switch SwA to bridge the contacts thereof, thereby to complete the circuit of solenoid SA across supply conductors 20I, 205 through conductors 209, 2H3. Energization of solenoid SA so operates the valve assembly VI that pressure fluid is admitted to the lower end of the cylinder C-I, thus to actuate the top platen to its raised position.

, Pressure switch PS-3 is opened upon the initiation of the upward movement of the platen and, upon the platen reaching its raised position, switch LS4 closes and completes the circuit of solenoid SAI thereby to admit pressure fluid to the right end of cylinder (2-2 for the return or working stroke of the rack 55. This circuit may be traced from conductor 20I connected with line LI, energizing coil I44 of relay RAI, switch PBB, conductor I45, jumper J9, switch LS-4, jumper J'I, terminal TB2, and back to main L3 through conductor 205. Coil I44 when energized operates the contactor of switch SwAI to bridge the contacts thereof, thus to complete the circuit of solenoid SA-I across supply conductors 20I, 205 through the conductors 2, 212. Energization of solenoid SAI, as hereinbefore noted, results in actuation of the valve of assembly V2 whereby to admit pressure fluid to the right end of the cylinder C-2 and hence movement of rack 55 to the left on its driving stroke.

As the switches PB--I and PBZ on the opposite ends of the machine are inserted in series in the circuit containing the solenoid I05 which operates the switching device SP, the closing of which is essential to the starting of the complete apparatus, it will readily be appreciated that the arrangement is such that both operating switches PBI and PB -2 must be closed by the operators at the ends of machine before the machine can operate.

Again, as switch LS-4 is closed only when the top platen is in fully raised position, with switch PS-3 being closed only when the top platen is in fully lowered position, it will be seen that the respective switches serve as an interlock between the platen and belt drive controls, the arrangement being such as to prevent both cylinders CI and C2 from operating at the same time. Such an interlock provides for travel of the top platen only during periods when the belt drive is stationary, and for movement of the belt drive either on its idling or its working stroke only during periods when the platen is stationary.

In the analysis of the circuits outlined above, the switches PB3-PB-8, inclusive, were assumed to be in position for automatic operation and the circuits were so traced. These switches have another position in addition to their automatic and oil positions, such being designated as an hand position this for the purpose of enabling each one of the units controlled by the switches, as well as the switches themselves, to be tested for mechanical or electrical trouble. It is readily seen that the throwing of the respective switches to the hand position connects the operating coil of the several contactors across two of the mains of the three-phase line.

The switches SP and ST for the pump motor and the timer motor, respectively, are in addition provided with overload protective devices which serve to break the operating circuits forthecontactors upon any trouble developing in' the system.

" By reference to Figs. 1 and 3, taken in conjunc tion with the foregoing description, the appara ratus of the presentinvention is laid out andorganized for compactness and working accessi-- bility. Thus major units of the apparatus, such as the pump unit, the timing assembly, and the belt drive cylinder and its valve assembly-are arranged in the space between the upper and H lower runs of the belt [1, this placement being such, however, asnot to interfere with-the movement of the belt, the upper run of which operates at a level above-said units, and the lower run of the belt being arranged to travel in the space below the units and above the supporting floor on which the bed frame is setup. Preferably j the lower belt run is supported on rollers 90 extending between the spaced channels of the bed It will be further appreciated that large frame. areas of the belt are provided on both jsides of the operating platens, thus to give ample space for the operators and adequate supporting sur-" face for a large number of the-articles being operated'on. The electric control panel box, des ignated 92, is preferably arranged at the front of the apparatus and between the frontchannels 21, 28 of the platen supporting frame, whereby sible for test and repair purposes. H l

" As a safety measure; the upper portionof the platen frame in which the top platen operates may beenclosed by ahousing 94, therebymini mizing the likelihoodof injury to the operators.

Similarly, the timing unit may be enclosed in a housing 95, and if desired the pump unit may be similarly enclosed as by' housing 96.

In the practice of'the invention, and with ap-l paratusoperating as aforesaid, the operator staj tioned at the front or supplyv end of the apparatus' (the right endxin Figs. 1 and 3) lays a plu- '30 the electrical control equipment is readilyaccesr,

I cycle.

end continues to load articles on the fresh belt surface presented to him-by thea'dvance'm-ove ment of the belt as aforesaid.

' Upon the top platen returning to its raised position, the belt is; given a further advance movement, and the compacted, articles on the firstloaded belt portion are advanced to a removal station-where a second operator is positioned. Movement of the belt is interrupted, with the second operatorbeing given a period of three and a half secondsaccording to the cycle under de-v scription to remove the compacted articles from the belt. v T

During the latter .period when the belt is stationary, the top platen is lowered to effect the compacting of the second-laid batch of articles, with the operator at the supply end continuing his loading of articles on the fresh surface" of thebelt presented to him. These operations'are continued so long asthe apparatus operates throughout its cycle of operation. as described.

. It will be here noted thatthe action of cylinder C| is such that inequalities in the thickness of the articlesbeing compacted will be compensated for in automatic manner. Thus if the material of the articles is relatively thick or heavy, the" platen does notdescendquite the same amount as if the material is thin, andthe hydraulic cylinder acts in muchthe same manner as a spring connection between the top platen and head 49- would actin compensating for inequalities in the work 1 While in the foregoing description an 8-second cycle of operation, i. e. 7 /2 cycles per minute, has been described, it will be understood that the length of the cycle, and'hence the number of cycles per minute, may be varied'within limits by proper adjustment of the timingun-it TU which controls the frequency of the operating hence the frequencyof the cycle may be varied.

rality of curtains or like articles onthe belt during a period thatthe belt is stationary, the cur.-

tains being supplied'tothe operator from a tying 1 machine (not shown) With each folded curtain or pairs or groups thereof requiring about one foot 'of'belt length, the supply, end of thev belt which. extendsapproximately 8 feet in-lengthwill o accordingly take about. eightcurtains or pairs or groups'thereof, such being. laid in edge to edge relation. As the belt is stationaryfor a period of three and a half seconds during each cycle as above explained, an operator working at a steady pace can maintain the supply end of the belt loaded, orsubstantially so.

'Upon'the'belt being advanced, the loaded per tion thereof'is advanced to a position between the compacting platens 34, 38,'the top platen 38 being in raised position. Upon the. advance movement of the belt being interrupted, the'top platen is lowered .to its compacting position, in

which it exerts substantial pressure on the articles carried by the belt, the latter being supported I by the bottom platen. The top platen 38 may be steam-heated in conventional manner and, when so heated '(notshown), the heating and pressure actionis such that even compacting-and the desired reduction in bulk of the articles results. Upon completion of the compacting period, the top platen is actuated to its raised position. During the periods of lowering and raising of the top platen and the intermediate,

compacting period, the operator at the supply 1 stationary platen, a movable platen, fiuid-oper' ated means for actuatingthe movable platen As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that; all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall. be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.-. I I

We claim:

1. In automatic. compacting apparatus of the character, described, the combination of a-sta tonary platen, a movable platen; fluid-operated I compacting position "for effecting operation of the carrier actuating means throughout J its idling stroke, and means responsive for its actuation to full return movementof the movable platen to its retracted position for rendering the carrier. actuating means operable throughout its working stroke.

2. In an automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a Thus, by varying the rate of angular V movement of the timing arm 6|, the duration and throughout its cycle of movement from a retracted to a compacting position and thence to its retracted position, timing means for controlling the actuation of said means and for establishing the periods of movement and of rest of the movable platen, a carrier movable in a path which extends between the platens, means movable throughout idling and working strokes for actuating said carrier, means actuable by t-e movable platen in its retracted position for effecting operation of the carrier actuating means through its idling stroke, and means actuable by the movable platen in its retracted position for effecting operation of the carrier actuating means throughout its working stroke.

3. In an automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a stationary platen, a movable platen, fluid-operated means for actuating the movable platen throughout its cycle of movement from a retracted to a compacting position and thence to its retracted position, timing means for controlling the actuation of said means and for establishing the periods of movement and of rest of the movable platen, an endless carrier having a run extending between said platens, fluid-operated means movable throughout idling and working strokes for intermittently actuating the carrier whereby to advance successive portions of said run to the platens, and mechanism for controlling actuation of said last fluid-operated means including means responsive for its actuation to full movement of the movable platen to its compacting position and means responsive for its actuation to full return movement of the movable platen to its retracted position.

4. In automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of operatively related stationary and movable platens, a fluid-pressure cylinder for actuating the movable platen throughout its cycle of movement, an endless carrier having a run extending between said platens, a second fluid-pressure cylinder, driving connections between the second cylinder and the carrier, a source of pressure fluid, connections between the source and the ends of each said cylinders, and mechanism for alternately admitting pressure fluid from the source to said cylinders including a first valve means in the connections between the source and the first cylinder, a second valve means in the connections between the source and the second cylinder, timing means for controlling actuation of the first valve means, and means responding to the position of the movable platen for controlling actuation of the second valve means.

5. In automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of operatively related stationary and movable platens, a fluid-pressure cylinder for actuating the movable platen, an endless carrier having a run extending between said platens, a second fluid-pressure cylinder, driving connections between the second cylinder and the carrier, a source of pressure fluid, connections between the source and each end of the cylinders, timing mechanism for controlling the admission of pressure fluid alternately to the ends of the first cylinder whereby to actuate the movable platen throughout its cycle of movement from its retracted position to a compacting position and thereafter to return the movable platen to its retracted position, and means responsive to the movement oi the movable platen to its compacting position and return to its retracted position for controlling the admission of pressure fluid alternately to the ends of the second cylinder.

6. In automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of operatively related stationary and movable platens, a fluid-pressure cylinder for actuating the movable carrier, a source of pressure fluid, connections between said source and each end of the cylinder, valve means adapted to establish communication between the source and an end of the cylinder, timing mechanism for controlling actuation of the valve means thereby to cause actuation of the movable platen throughout its cycle of operation from a retracted position to a compacting position and thereafter to return the platen to its retracted position, an endless carrier having a run extending between said platens, a second fluid-pressure cylinder, driving connections between the second cylinder and the endless belt, fluid connections between the source and the second cylinder, valve means adapted to establish communication between the source and one end of the second cylinder, and means responsive to movement of the movable platen to compacting position and for return of the platen to its retracted position for controlling the actuation of the second valve means thereby to supply pressure fluid alternately to the ends of the second cylinder.

7. In automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a stationary platen, a movable platen, fluid-operated means for actuating the movable platen throughout its cycle of movement from a retracted position to a compacting position and thereafter to return the movable platen to its retracted position, an endless carrier having a run extending between said platens, fluid-operated means for actuating said carrier whereby to advance successive portions of the run to the platens, a source of pressure fluid common to both said means, and electrical control means for determining the period and direction of movement of the movable platen within each cycle and providing for operation of the carrier actuating means only during the period that the movable platen is at rest in its retracted position,

8. In automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a stationary platen, a movable platen, means for actuating the movable platen throughout its cycle of movement from a retracted position to a compacting position and thereafter to return the movable platen to its retracted position, an endless carrier having a run extending between said platens, means for actuating said carrier whereby to advance successive portions of the run to the platens, and electrical control means for causing alternate operation of said actuating means, said control means including switches each adapted to initiate movement of the movable platen in one direction, means operable to close said switches alternately and at predetermined time intervals, and platen controlled switches adapted to initiate operation of the carrier actuating means, said switches being closed alternately upon movement of the movable platen to its compacting and retracted positions.

9. In automatic compacting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a stationary platen, a movable platen, fluid-operated means for actuating the movable platen throughout its cycle of movement from a retracted position to a compacting position and thereafter to return the movable platen to its retracted posi tion, an endless carrier having a run extending,

between said platens,v fluid-operated means for actuating said carrier whereby to advance successive portions of the run to the platens, a source of pressure fluid common to both said means,

electrical control means for determining the;

period and direction of movement of the movable platen within each cycle and providing for opera- 5 electrical control means. I

HEN-RY c; KELLER;

SAMUEL LIPPINCOTT c GRISWOLD KNOX. 

